FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI)
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0017987
- Agency
-
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $7,875,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Other
- Eligible applicants
-
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Points of contact
-
- Susannah Wood woodst@state.gov (771) 205-9501
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs seeks proposals for a cooperative agreement to design, implement, and oversee the FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program. The program aims to advance U.S. economic interests and foreign policy objectives by fostering business partnerships between emerging entrepreneurs (ages 25-35) from Latin America and the Caribbean and U.S. companies. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, think tanks, civil society organizations, and public or private educational institutions with at least four years of experience conducting international exchanges, and all applicants must maintain active registrations in SAM.gov and MyGrants. Key program responsibilities include recruitment and selection of Fellows through merit-based processes in consultation with ECA and U.S. embassies, development of pre-departure and arrival orientations, securing U.S. business placements, providing entrepreneurship training, organizing a closing forum in Washington D.C., coordinating reciprocal exchanges for U.S. participants, and maintaining alumni engagement through online platforms. Award recipients must also collect performance monitoring data aligned with ECA's MODE Framework, measuring outcomes such as cultural competence, job skill improvements, network expansion, and ability to counter disinformation. The application deadline is June 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
The single anticipated cooperative agreement award is approximately $7,875,000, with budget requests not to exceed $6,600,000. The FY 2026 program will bring approximately 250 international Fellows to the United States for a five- to six-week fellowship, with approximately 100 U.S. participants traveling overseas to support Fellows' action plans and develop networks supporting American economic growth. The performance period is 18 to 24 months, with ECA intending to renew the award for two additional consecutive fiscal years if implementation is satisfactory. Performance locations include both the United States, where international Fellows will participate in business placements and entrepreneurial training, and overseas locations throughout the Caribbean and Latin America where U.S. participants will support Fellows' initiatives. The anticipated award date is September 1, 2026.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The Global Leaders Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks proposals for a cooperative agreement to design, implement, and oversee the FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program. YLAI advances U.S. economic interests and leadership by fostering business partnerships between emerging entrepreneurs from the Western Hemisphere and U.S. companies. The program combines in-person and technology-driven engagement, an active alumni network, and ongoing collaboration with U.S. embassies to promote U.S. commercial priorities, create new opportunities for American companies in key markets, and increase public awareness of American business leadership. YLAI directly supports U.S. national security and the Administration's foreign policy objectives by strengthening commercial ties, expanding U.S. exports, and promoting American values of entrepreneurship, free enterprise, and innovation throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The FY 2026 program will bring approximately 250 participants from the Caribbean and Latin America for a five to six-week fellowship, including orientation, tailored U.S. business placements, entrepreneurial training, a closing event, and post-program alumni activities. Approximately 100 U.S. participants will travel overseas to support Fellows' action plans and develop networks that support American economic growth.
Please see the announcement for additional information.
Update #1 ·
The Global Leaders Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks proposals for a cooperative agreement to design, implement, and oversee the FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program. YLAI advances U.S. economic interests and leadership by fostering business partnerships between emerging entrepreneurs from the Western Hemisphere and U.S. companies. The program combines in-person and technology-driven engagement, an active alumni network, and ongoing collaboration with U.S. embassies to promote U.S. commercial priorities, create new opportunities for American companies in key markets, and increase public awareness of American business leadership. YLAI directly supports U.S. national security and the Administration's foreign policy objectives by strengthening commercial ties, expanding U.S. exports, and promoting American values of entrepreneurship, free enterprise, and innovation throughout the Western Hemisphere. The FY 2026 program will bring approximately 250 participants from the Caribbean and Latin America for a five to six-week fellowship, including orientation, tailored U.S. business placements, entrepreneurial training, a closing event, and post-program alumni activities. Approximately 100 U.S. participants will travel overseas to support Fellows' action plans and develop networks that support American economic growth. Please see the announcement for additional information.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025-4.docx | DOCX document | |
| performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025.pdf | ||
| FY26 YLAI NOFO.pdf |
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